H
H.264/AVC: See AVC.
HDCP: High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection, also referred to incorrectly as High Definition Content Protection (though the latter term accurately describes its function.) HDCP is an anti-piracy, anti-copying system designed to keep non-HDCP encrypted material from being transmitted across an HDMI connection. In order to transmit information across an HDMI connection (such as from a cable box to an HDTV) an HDCP connection between the components must be established. This HDCP connection is sometimes called an HDMI Handshake. See HDMI, HDMI Handshake.
HD DVD: High definition movie format backed primarily by Toshiba and Microsoft and competitor to Blu-ray. Like Blu-ray, HD DVD uses a blue laser to read the disc. Capacity is 15GB for a single layer disc and 30GB for a double-layer disc. Combo discs are possible, which combine HD DVD on one side and DVD on the other, allowing playback in both DVD and HD DVD players. Major supporting studios are Paramount, Universal, and Warner Bros. as well as independent providers such as the BBC and Image Entertainment. (Warner Bros. has announced they will no longer support the format after May 2008.)
HD DVD Promotion Group: Entity responsive for public relations, promotion and marketing of the HD DVD format. Membership is comprised of movie studios and equipment manufacturers that support the HD DVD format. See HD DVD.
HD Radio: Digital radio system providing improved sound quality, increased text information on the radio display, and multicast capabilities allowing stations to broadcast more than one channel. HD Radio stands for Hybrid Digital Radio, not High Definition Radio as commonly believed and is supported by local radio broadcasters. HD Radio programming is available without paying a subscription, but you must have a HD Radio receiver to receive the programming.
HDi: Menu and interactivity system developed by Microsoft and used on HD DVDs and HD DVD players. See HD DVD.
HDMI: High Definition Multimedia Interface, a single digital connection that transfers both audio and video information. HDMI has become the default digital connection for HDTVs, cable and satellite boxes, video processors, Blu-ray players, upconverting DVD players, and HD DVD players. Audio components such as receivers now use HDMI, as well, though it is less common use than in video components. Many consumers overpay for HDMI cables, spending as much as $150 or more for cable at big-box stores, when quality HDMI cables can be purchased from online vendors such as monoprice.com for less than $5.00. See Monoprice.com.
HDMI Handshake: Verification made over an HDMI connection by two components using HDCP, such as a cable box and an HDTV. Once the ”handshake” is made, the television will display the content. If the handshake is not made, the screen will be blank or a warning message displayed that HDCP could not be verified. Turning the components off and on again will usually allow the handshake to be established.
HDTV: High Definition Television, part of the ATSC standard. To be considered high definition, a TV must support a resolution of either 720p, 1080i, or 1080p. (Many HDTVs are 768p, but no content is broadcast or recorded at this resolution.) See ATSC and DTV.
HDV: High definition camcorder format. HDV records a high definition MPEG-2 signal on to regular MiniDV tape. HDV can be downloading from a camcorder to computer for editing and offers the best quality of current consumer-grade high definition camcorder formats.
Hi8: Higher-quality version of the 8mm analog camcorder format. Cassettes were compact and supported recording times of up to 120 minutes. Hi8 records video at 400 lines of resolution, much better than VHS-C or 8mm, but not as good as Digital 8, MiniDV, or the high definition camcorder formats. See Digital 8, Video 8.
Home Theater in-a-Box: Packaged sound system composed of a surround speaker set and an audio/video receiver. Some systems include a DVD player or use a combination receiver-DVD player component. Home Theater in-a-box systems provide an inexpensive way to get into surround sound, but performance and sound quality usually suffers compared to component systems, typically because the speakers used in these systems tend to be of poor to middling quality. Quality of electronics tens to lag behind component systems as well, though the impact of the electronics on sound quality is not as great as the speakers. The sound quality of many of these systems can be improved simply by replacing the included speakers with higher quality, yet inexpensive examples from dedicated speaker manufacturers.
Horn: Speaker driver using a horn-shaped surround to reinforce sound and increase efficiency. Horns are usually used only for tweeters and midrange drivers as a bass reproduction horn would be very large. Exceptions do exist, notably classic speakers from Klipsch. See Klipschorn.
HQV: Hollywood Quality Video, video processing technology from Silicon Optix. HQV is regarded as some of the very finest quality video processing available and is used in the professional market as well as consumer applications. The two consumer-grade offerings are HQV Reon and HQV Realta, with Realta the higher-end offering where it competes with Gennum VXP. Both HQV Reon and HQV Realta are found in premium-grade DVD players, HD DVD players, Blu-ray Disc players, televisions, and video projectors. See Video Processor, VXP.
HTiB: See Home Theater in-a-Box.
Hyperfocal Distance: Lens setting that creates the greatest possible depth of field. The hyperfocal setting is a combination of focus and f-stop.
Hz: Abbreviation for Hertz, scientific term for cycles per second. This term in used to describe many things from AC current (60Hz) to the audible range of sound, 20Hz to 20,000 Hz.
